Groodles (aka Goldendoodles) combine the friendly nature of the Golden Retriever with the intelligence and low-shedding coat of the Poodle. While their personalities are delightful, they can inherit a range of health concerns from both parent breeds — from sensitive stomachs to skin allergies. That makes proper nutrition one of the most important things you can manage as a Groodle parent.

In this guide, we tap into expert insight to break down what your Groodle really needs in their bowl — from the best sources of protein to ingredients that support their specific health needs. Whether you’ve just welcomed a playful pup or are adjusting your adult Groodle’s routine, you’ll find what you need to make smart, informed choices.

Read more: Groodle breed insights: care, personality & expert tips

How nutrition can help common Groodle health concerns

Sensitive stomachs

Groodles often inherit a delicate digestive system, which can lead to regular bouts of diarrhoea, gassiness, or vomiting. These symptoms may indicate a sensitvity to certain ingredients.

A fresh, real food diet that supports gut health with prebiotic fibre and easy-to-digest proteins can help restore digestive balance and improve nutrient absorption.

Try this:
Meals made with gently cooked meat and a variety of veggies and superfoods, like Lyka, are more digestible and can help relieve discomfort.

Read more: Sensitive stomachs in dogs: how to relieve your pup’s discomfort

Food sensitivities and allergies

Thanks to their Poodle lineage, Groodles can be prone to food allergies and intolerances. Common triggers include beef, chicken, dairy, and wheat, which can cause symptoms like itchy skin, ear infections, and gastrointestinal upset.

Look for fresh, real food diets without common allergens like wheat, soy, dairy and unnecessary synthetic additives. A novel protein diet, such as goat or kangaroo, can reduce allergic responses in sensitive dogs. Plus, ingredients like omega-3s from fish and chia seeds support skin health. 

Try this: 
Lyka’s Hypoallergenic Pro meals are made with goat and don’t contain common allergens, making them ideal for Groodles with sensitive skin.

Read more: Dog skin allergies: triggers, symptoms and itch relief treatment (with photos) 

Joint conditions

Large-sized Groodles, especially those with more of a Golden Retriever build than Poodle, may be prone to hip and elbow dysplasia. These conditions can lead to mobility issues and arthritis over time.

Try this:
While diet can’t change genetics, feeding food and supplements with anti-inflammatory properties can reduce pain and support joint function, like turmeric, ginger and omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil.

Read more: Hip dysplasia: how can your dog’s diet help?

How to choose the best food for your Groodle

Fresh food, raw, wet or dry? Supermarket, pet shop, or delivered to your door? There are so many dog food options on the market — where do you begin?

1. Complete and balanced

Groodles, like all pups, need a complete and balanced diet containing the right nutrients in the right proportions.

Australia has pet food standards, but they’re largely unregulated. Many brands follow AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) or FEDIAF (European Pet Food Industry Federation) guidelines.

Meeting AAFCO and FEDIAF standards is just the start. Lyka meals are formulated by a team of Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionists to ensure they’re complete and balanced for all life stages.

Read more: Dog food ingredients: a glossary of common and confusing terms

2. Optimal nutrition for your Groodle

Not all dog food is created equally. Variety and quality of ingredients and cooking methods can all impact the nutrient availability of your dog’s food.

Many raw dog food options present a good balance of high-quality protein, fresh produce, and superfoods. But not all dogs can easily digest raw food, especially pups with a weakened immune system, or digestive issues.

Dry food (kibble) often contains high amounts of carbohydrates and synthetic vitamins and minerals. The animal protein used in kibble is often pet-grade, like meat meal or meat by-products, that vary in quality and are not subject to the same checks as human-grade meat. Kibble is usually cooked at high temperatures which can reduce digestibility and can lead to the potential formation of harmful compounds, like acrylamides.

Home cooking can be a great option for your dog, but making sure each mouthful is complete and balanced is not easy to do without expert guidance.

Lyka meals are made using human-grade ingredients and are gently cooked then snap-frozen to retain their nutritional value and digestibility. Each meal is high in protein and custom-portioned to meet your dog’s daily needs.

Want to dig deeper into which type of food is best for your Groodle? We’ve created a series of guides to help you make an informed choice.

Read more: Freshly cooked vs kibble for dogs: which is better?  
Read more: Freshly cooked vs raw meat for dogs: which is better?  
Read more: Freshly cooked vs home cooking for your dog: which is better?  
Read more: Freshly cooked vs wet food for dogs: which is better?

How much food does a Groodle need?

Serving size recommendations based solely on weight don’t tell the full story. Your dog’s energy level, lifestyle and body condition score are all part of the picture.

That’s why Lyka calculates your Groodle’s portion sizes based on their personal profile, not just on their weight.

Establish a consistent feeding routine with your Groodle to support their digestion, especially if they have a sensitive stomach.

Do Groodle puppies and senior dogs need special food?

Not necessarily. Nutrient-dense, real food meals formulated for all life stages — like Lyka — cover the daily requirements of both growing pups and dogs in their golden years.

Read more: Why real food is the healthiest choice for senior dogs 
Read more: What should puppies eat? Expert nutrition tips for optimal development

New to Lyka? Let’s rethink dog food together

Parenting a Groodle comes with plenty of decisions. Choosing what’s in their bowl is one of the most important.

Designed by Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionists and made with real, human-grade ingredients, Lyka meals are custom-portioned to match your dog’s needs.

Groodles across Australia are already thriving on Lyka — yours could be next.

Join our pack of proud Groodle parents today.